At the moment, Lower El is studying the composition of the earth.  These lessons include naming the layers of the earth, a discussion of radiant and passive heat, moisture in the atmosphere, and the different layers of the atmosphere.  Soon we will move on to the study of mountains and volcanoes as part of this geography unit.  

Our first continent study is Australia and the surrounding islands.  Sometimes we refer to it as Oceania.  Learning about a continent is a great opportunity to study its biomes, animals, plants, and people, as well as the diverse countries of that continent.  Our fundamental needs curriculum is woven throughout this study, as we constantly ask "How do the animals of the desert meet their needs?"  "How does living in the grasslands influence what kind of homes people build, or the food they eat, the clothes they wear, the traditional music that they enjoy?"  In asking these questions, and thinking about their answers, we are making connections between the people of different cultures and parts of the world.  We recall the continent we last studied, Africa, and compare its biomes with Australia's.  How much bigger and more diverse Africa is!  Australia is mostly desert and grasslands-overall, a very dry continent.  Africa contains over fifty countries, while Australia is both a continent and a country.

Biology studies in Lower El are focusing on plants this term.  We teach the plants in the order in which they first appeared on earth, just as we do with the animals: First the seaweeds, then the moss, the ferns, the pine trees (plants with woody stems), and last of all, the flowering plants.  Inserted somewhere in there will be fungi, as they are not true plants, but give us a nice basis for comparison.  Even in biology, we ask the question, "How does this plant meets its' needs?  How does it make food?  What does it need to survive?"  Flowers need more light than moss; moss must always be near a water source.  Ferns were the first vascular plants to appear on earth.  

When you hear a child or a teacher speak of the cultural curriculum in Lower El, be assured that we are not discussing the latest movies or museum exhibits, but rather, the entire world, divided into fascinating categories.

Have a good weekend.

Kerstin and Patrick